Where To Trade/PLEASE HELP

I am considering opening a stock and stock option

account.I want to be able to trade from home without calling a trading desk.My clearing house said they would charge me 3 cents a share and

2 dollars per option order(not sure if that means per ticket or option).Is this a good price?Will

150k be enough for an active options account.This is important..and I know it depends on market conditions.What can I expect to see in the spreads betwen bid and ask?Can anybody recommend a firm where I can trade the options from home

electronically? Will I see the best bid and offer?

What if I want a 3 way spread or to make a market in one? Can I place contingent option orders..in otherwords I will only buy or sell an option based on a level of the underlying stock?Thanks

in advance...do your magic eLROY!